New York Becomes 29th State to Adopt Autism Insurance Reform

Autism Speaks has applauded Governor Andrew Cuomo for signing one of nation’s strongest autism insurance reform measures into law and defended his action in letters-to-the-editor published in the Wall Street Journaland the New York Post.

We are excited that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed into law one of the most comprehensive autism insurance reform measures in the nation, Assembly Bill 8512. This new law requires insurance companies to provide coverage of critical autism therapies for both children and adults. Autism Speaks Co-founders Suzanne and Bob Wright and representatives from New York’s autism community gathered for the bill signing at the Governor’s Office in Albany. For a fact sheet on the new law, go here.

Sponsored in the New York Assembly by Assemblymember Joseph Morelle (D-Monroe) and in the Senate by Sen. Charles Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Nassau,) the new law will provide coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies, such as applied behavior analysis (ABA). It will take effect in 12 months – on November 1, 2012 – and allow up to $45,000 a year in ABA treatments with no limits on age or number of visits.